Nothing signals the fullness of summer like the blossoming of hydrangeas. The rich collection of these attractive shrubs at Beech Court are flowering now. Defiant of the chalky lower layers of the ground, the top soil at Beech Court is a rich clay-loam with acidic pH. This gives all the blooms that can be variable a clear blue colour. As well as many forms of Hydrangea macrophylla (from the delicate wing-like flowers of lace-caps to blousey mop heads), the garden shows a variety of species such as H. aspera, H. quercifolia, H. paniculata and so on.

Roses are in full bloom through Beech Court gardens. They are concentrated in the avenue of impressive rambling specimens, planted by past gardener, Rupert, in the 1970's to scramble over a row of Rhododendron ponticum. The old, dried frames of the rhododendrons are now buried under hillocks of vigorous thorny growth suffused in tumbling blossom at this moment. Rambling roses are reliable, strong and disease resistant, but as they don't repeat flower their dazzling show of blooms is packed in to just one moment of the year; now is the time to see them at their peak.

Rambling roses in full bloom

Wander a little further to see the large Rosa 'Kiftsgate' in the paddock. This energetic climber is ascending two trees, and completely covered in cascading white flowers.